What'sRequired Mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial mediator assists the parties with reaching a resolution of the dispute. TEA provides mediators at no cost to either party. Requests for mediation may be faxed to TEA’s Office of Legal Services at (512) 475-3662 or (512) 463-6027. Any questions about mediation may be directed to TEA’s Office of Legal Services at (512) 475-1623. If both parties agree, the timeline for resolving a complaint may be extended pending the mediation. If the complainant wants any unresolved issues to be investigated through the complaints process after the mediation has concluded, the complainant must notify TEA in writing.
What We Do
It should be noted that the parties may attempt local resolution or mediation at any stage during the complaint resolution process. TEA, however, encourages the parties to attempt to resolve the issues at the earliest possible point in order to expedite the provision of appropriate services to the student.
Parents, adult students, or a school district may request mediation whenever there is a complaint or disagreement about special education services between the parent/student and the district. A mediation form has been designed for the parent’s convenience, but use of the specific form is not required.
The mediator is trained in mediation techniques and is knowledgeable about special education. The mediator is a professional from any number of fields, including education, law, government, and human service. The mediator is a neutral party to the dispute. The mediator is not an advocate or a legal advisor for either the school or parent. The mediator facilitates open communication, creates a safe environment for interaction, remains unbiased and impartial, and identifies points of agreement and clarifies options.
Before the Mediation Session:
List the issues that are to be discussed.
Inform the mediator of individuals of others that will be invited to the mediation session.
Focusing on the student's needs, list several solutions that may resolve the issues.
Clear the mind of unrelated matters so that other reasonable solutions can be considered.
Have a clear schedule. Since the length of the mediation is unknown, plan to participate without interruption for the entire day.
Documents are not necessary. If bringing them, organize them in a way that is easy to reference.
Ask the mediator what can be expected in the mediation session. While the mediation session is structured, it will reflect the mediator's personal style.
If legal services are obtained, the parent is responsible for the cost of the services.
What's Required
Mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial mediator assists the parties with reaching a resolution of the dispute. TEA provides mediators at no cost to either party. Requests for mediation may be faxed to TEA’s Office of Legal Services at (512) 475-3662 or (512) 463-6027. Any questions about mediation may be directed to TEA’s Office of Legal Services at (512) 475-1623. If both parties agree, the timeline for resolving a complaint may be extended pending the mediation. If the complainant wants any unresolved issues to be investigated through the complaints process after the mediation has concluded, the complainant must notify TEA in writing.
What We Do
It should be noted that the parties may attempt local resolution or mediation at any stage during the complaint resolution process. TEA, however, encourages the parties to attempt to resolve the issues at the earliest possible point in order to expedite the provision of appropriate services to the student.
Parents, adult students, or a school district may request mediation whenever there is a complaint or disagreement about special education services between the parent/student and the district. A mediation form has been designed for the parent’s convenience, but use of the specific form is not required.
The mediator is trained in mediation techniques and is knowledgeable about special education. The mediator is a professional from any number of fields, including education, law, government, and human service. The mediator is a neutral party to the dispute. The mediator is not an advocate or a legal advisor for either the school or parent. The mediator facilitates open communication, creates a safe environment for interaction, remains unbiased and impartial, and identifies points of agreement and clarifies options.
Before the Mediation Session:
Forms
Resources